Hex Mayflies
Hexagenia limbata
The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.
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This is a striking caddis larva with an interesting color pattern on the head. Here are some characteristics I was able to see under the microscope, but could not easily expose for a picture:
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
- The prosternal horn is present.
- The mandible is clearly toothed, not formed into a uniform scraper blade.
- The seems to be only 2 major setae on the ventral edge of the hind femur.
- Chloride epithelia seem to be absent from the dorsal side of any abdominal segments.
Based on these characteristics and the ones more easily visible from the pictures, this seems to be Grammotaulius. The key's description of the case is spot-on: "Case cylindrical, made of longitudinally arranged sedge or similar leaves," as is the description of the markings on the head, "Dorsum of head light brownish yellow with numerous discrete, small, dark spots." The spot pattern on the head is a very good match to figure 19.312 of Merritt R.W., Cummins, K.W., and Berg, M.B. (2019). The species ID is based on Grammotaulius betteni being the only species of this genus known in Washington state.
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FredH on Oct 19, 2009October 19th, 2009, 1:52 am EDT
What would you say is the nymph that would be in most fishermens fly box. And what insect is it an immitation of?
Fred
Fred
Taxon on Oct 19, 2009October 19th, 2009, 4:04 am EDT
Hi Fred,
For streams in the Pacific Northwest, I would say Prince Nymph, which imitates a stonefly nymph.
For streams in the Pacific Northwest, I would say Prince Nymph, which imitates a stonefly nymph.
Flatstick96 on Oct 19, 2009October 19th, 2009, 5:26 am EDT
If I had to guess at the nymph that you would be most likely to find in most peoples' boxes, I'd guess Hare's Ear.
As to what it imitates: lots of things, really.
And yes, I've seen people catch fish in the Guad. on Hare's Ear nymphs. :-)
As to what it imitates: lots of things, really.
And yes, I've seen people catch fish in the Guad. on Hare's Ear nymphs. :-)
UPTroutBum on Oct 19, 2009October 19th, 2009, 5:34 am EDT
Hare's Ear, Pheasant tail, & Prince. I have many in bead head and non bead head.
" The true fisherman approaches the first day of fishing season with
all the sense of wonder and awe of a child approaching Christmas." John Voelker
all the sense of wonder and awe of a child approaching Christmas." John Voelker
Troutnut on Oct 19, 2009October 19th, 2009, 4:47 pm EDT
Yep: Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, and Prince would be the ones in the most fishermens' fly boxes, I think. Probably in that order, although PT might be first.
I was a little confused by the question, though: "most imitated" would be asking about the actual insects, but "in the fly boxes" would be asking about the flies. Everyone's answered the latter.
The former is harder; it depends how broad a category you want to look at. For a single species, it's probably the Hendrickson nymph. For a family, probably Baetidae (BWO) nymphs.
I was a little confused by the question, though: "most imitated" would be asking about the actual insects, but "in the fly boxes" would be asking about the flies. Everyone's answered the latter.
The former is harder; it depends how broad a category you want to look at. For a single species, it's probably the Hendrickson nymph. For a family, probably Baetidae (BWO) nymphs.
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Lastchance on Oct 20, 2009October 20th, 2009, 11:20 am EDT
I'd say PT, hare's ear and prince nymph.
Bruce
Bruce
Teddyp on Oct 21, 2009October 21st, 2009, 9:42 am EDT
I'm in the same boat. Gotta be Hare's ear and PT. Don't know many without those in the fly box.
Ted
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